What are the Different Types of Celebrants/Officiants?
The most common question that arises is: what is the difference between a Humanist Celebrant and an Independent Celebrant?
Firstly, allow me to show you the variety of celebrants/officiants that can be used using the summarised table below.
| Officiant | Religious or Belief Body? | Allow for spiritual or religious content? | Affiliated to a Religious Body / Organisation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Celebrant | No | Yes | No |
| Humanist Celebrant | Belief Group | No | Yes |
| Interfaith Minister | Belief Group | Yes | Yes |
| Clergy (e.g. priest / minister) | Religious Group | Yes | Yes |
| Agnostic Celebrant | Belief Group | Allowed to include elements of “faith-based, spiritual on non-religious ethos.” | Yes |
Humanist and Independent Celebrants
Both celebrants offer an alternative to the traditional registrar or church service.
However, the main difference comes down to ‘independence’, in terms of what can be delivered during ceremony.
A humanist celebrant exclusively provides ceremonies that are secular or non-religious, emphasising a service grounded entirely in human values and rationality. They have no religious beliefs and therefore exclude religious content from their ceremonies.
Nevertheless, Humanist Ceremonies may incorporate religious elements in readings, hymns, or music created for praise, as long as no explicit ‘act of worship’ is requested.
On the other hand, an Independent Celebrant, not associated with any religious or belief groups, has the freedom to operate on an entirely independent basis. They have the flexibility to include whatever the family wants in the service. The service can have acts of worship – such as prayers or hymns – if this is what the family would like. Conversely, independent celebrants can officiate an entirely non-religious service if this is preferred.
What is the Role of an Independent Celebrant?
Ultimately, I am here to conduct the funeral ceremony.
To all family and friends who attend your loved one’s funeral, I’m the ‘fella’ standing in front of everyone doing the service! However, I am also everything else in-between: from that first phone call to the actual service…
- Offer support and guide the family through the planning of the funeral;
- Work closely with the funeral directors, ensuring that we liaise with all parties;
- Make sure that specific funeral wishes are carried out;
- Provide ideas for ways to create a personal touch for your loved one’s ceremony;
- Help the family to plan the order of service including music, poems, readings, hymns;
- After sitting with the family, write the eulogy. Or support and assist the family’s writing of their loved one’s
eulogy (if this is their wishes); - Conduct the funeral service on the day.
Contact Gary Erskine | Independent Celebrant
I would be honoured to be a part of your loved one’s ceremony, and I look forward to helping you create a service that is as unique and special as the moments you shared with them. Together, let’s craft a celebration that truly reflects your loved one.
